Thursday, 19 June 2025
WE WERE BORN RIGHTEOUS AND HOLY
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24).
For far too long, many in the Church have had the wrong idea about the doctrine of holiness and righteousness. They believe no one is holy or can live holy, whereas everything we are, according to the Bible, is holiness. Being born again, we were created in righteousness and true holiness. That’s what we read in our opening verse. You’re holy and you’re righteous.
The doctrine of holiness in the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament, has nothing to do with what you do; rather, it all has to do with who you are and where you are. Only a holy man can live holy; you can’t practice holiness to become holy; if you could, then you’d never have needed Jesus.
It’s the same with righteousness. You’d have to first be righteous to live a righteous life. That’s why at the New Birth, God imparts His nature of righteousness into a man’s spirit. Righteousness is a nature, and right-living is the result of that nature. A dog barks because it’s a dog. Likewise, a sinner cannot live a righteous life, because he’s a sinner; that’s his nature.
To live a righteous life, you’d have to be made the righteousness of God, and that happened when you were born again. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Therefore, righteousness is not something you attain. People struggle to become righteous because they lack accurate knowledge of God’s Word.
Righteousness, according to Romans 5:17, is the gift of God; it’s a nature—that nature or life of God that gives you, and produces in you, the ability to do right. Hallelujah! Until you understand this, you’ll struggle in your Christian walk. It’s part of the reason we say Christianity is not a religion. In the religions of the world, they “try” to be holy; and “struggle” to be righteous. But in Christianity, righteousness and holiness are our inherent nature. We were born righteous and holy, to live holy and righteous. Blessed be God!
CONFESSION: Righteousness and holiness are my inherent nature, producing in me the ability to do right and live in alignment with God's perfect will. I walk in the consciousness of my righteousness; I reign and rule over Satan, demons and circumstances. Thank you Father, for this glorious life, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 5:17; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 3:1
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 8:9-40 & 2 Chronicles 33-34
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 2:21-32 & Deuteronomy 17